Creatures of Light

Deep in the ocean, animals that flash, sparkle, and glow use light to survive in the dark.
Airing February 3, 2016 at 9 pm on PBS
Aired February 3, 2016 on PBS

Program Description

On a summer’s night, there’s nothing more magic than watching the soft glow of fireflies switching on and off. Few other life forms on land can light up the night, but in the dark depths of the oceans, it’s a different story: nearly 90% of all species shine from within. Whether it’s to scare off predators, fish for prey, or lure a mate, the language of light is everywhere in the ocean depths, and scientists are finally starting to decode it. NOVA and National Geographic take a dazzling dive to this hidden undersea world where most creatures flash, sparkle, shimmer, or simply glow. Join deep sea scientists who investigate these stunning displays and discover surprising ways to harness nature’s light—from tracking cancer cells to detecting pollution, lighting up cities, and even illuminating the inner workings of our brains.

This program was produced by WGBH, which is solely responsible for its content.

Original funding for this program was provided by Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Google, the David H. Koch Fund for Science, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Public Television Stations.

National corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Cancer Treatment Centers of America and Farmers Insurance.
Major funding for NOVA is provided by the David H. Koch Fund for Science, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.